Rose Trail

The Rose Trail is a beautification project conceived by Mayor Brander in 1949
and established between 1950 - 1965 . Originally a solid line of rose bushes 13 miles long from the
Civic Square Park across from the municipal service centre down Dufferin Ave. and turning north at
the St.Clair Parkway (old Hwy 40) as far as Port Lambton. The trail was marked in 2006 through the
support of Duke Energy Foundation. Approximately half of this 20 km long on-road trail has bike lanes
on both sides. This is currently an on-road trail, marked in 2006 through the support of Duke Energy
Foundation.

Historical significance of the Rose Trail

The south end of Highway 40 was once the site of a native village in the 1700’s with several
archaeological site investigations by the University of Windsor.

The south-east corner of the new Highway 40 extension is the site of the Webber rural school, a union of
Chatham and Dover townships, one of the first rural schools of the area.

MacDonald Park was named after Eric MacDonald, former Wallaceburg Mayor, founder of Mac-Craft Boat
Works (1938) and Mac Construction (1946). It is the location of commemorative sites and a plaque outlining
the famed Baldoon Mystery which took place nearby in the 1830 to 1840 period. Immediately South is the
Roberta Stewart Wildlife area set aside as a natural habitat.

The Baldoon Golf & Country Club, the second oldest golf course in Kent County opened for business in 1930.

The Chenal Ecarte or Snye River is an historic waterway providing a deep water route from the St. Clair
River inland to Wallaceburg, Dresden and Wilkesport once vibrant ports. During the 20th century passengers
steamers from Detroit plied this scenic waterway.

The Snye View Orchard area along the Chenal Ecarte is an area alledged to be the scene of the famous
Baldoon Mystery the one in which many strange happenings besieged the MacDonald family.

The village of Port Lambton was once the scene of illicit activities during the Prohibition period
(1920 to 1933) when alcoholic beverages were illegal in nearby United States. The border, the St.
Clair River is one of the busiest waterways in the world where ships from around the world can be seen.
Port Lambton was once a very famous resort community.